Xiaomi Redmi 15 vs. Samsung Galaxy A15: Which Budget Phone Reigns Supreme?

The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Xiaomi Redmi 15 and Samsung Galaxy A15 are two strong contenders. The Redmi 15 aims to deliver exceptional battery life and a modern chipset, while the Galaxy A15 focuses on a brighter viewing experience and Samsung’s established brand recognition. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device offers the best value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing longevity and consistent performance, the Xiaomi Redmi 15 emerges as the winner. Its significantly superior battery endurance (67:03h vs 15:28h) and newer Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 chipset provide a more reliable experience, even if the Galaxy A15 boasts a brighter screen.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi Redmi 15 Samsung Galaxy A15
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 711, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78, 71 SA/NSA-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2025, August 012023, December 11
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, August 01Available. Released 2023, December 16
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic backGlass front, plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions169.5 x 80.5 x 8.4 mm (6.67 x 3.17 x 0.33 in)160.1 x 76.8 x 8.4 mm (6.30 x 3.02 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight217 g (7.65 oz)200 g (7.05 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3, Mohs level 6-
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~374 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~396 ppi density)
Size6.9 inches, 116.9 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 103.7 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 144Hz, 600 nits (typ), 700 nits (HBM), 850 nits (peak)Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 800 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 (6 nm)Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 619Mali-G57 MC2
OSAndroid 15, HyperOS 2.2Android 14, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 7
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.88" 0.61μm, PDAF Auxiliary lens-
FeaturesLED flash, HDRLED flash, panorama, HDR
Triple-50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.64µm, PDAF 5 MP, f/2.2, 17mm (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR-
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX5.3, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoFM radio (market/region dependent)
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass
Battery
Charging33W wired, PD 2.0, PPS, QC3 18W reverse wired25W wired
Type7000 mAh5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsMidnight Black, Titan Gray, Ripple GreenBrave Black, Optimistic Blue, Magical Blue, Personality Yellow
Models25057RN09ESM-A155F, SM-A155F/DSN, SM-A155M, SM-A155M/DS, SM-A155P, SM-A155R
Price€ 159.00 / $ 219.99 / £ 179.00€ 168.99 / $ 125.00 / £ 113.00
SAR EU1.00 W/kg (head)     1.00 W/kg (body)0.42 W/kg (head)     1.29 W/kg (body)
EU LABEL
Battery67:03h endurance, 1000 cycles-
EnergyClass B-
Free fallClass D (45 falls)-
RepairabilityClass C-

Xiaomi Redmi 15

  • Exceptional battery life (67:03h endurance)
  • More modern Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 chipset
  • Faster 33W charging with multiple standards

  • Display brightness data unavailable, potentially lower than A15
  • Camera performance unknown without detailed specs

Samsung Galaxy A15

  • Bright 808 nit display for outdoor visibility
  • Samsung’s One UI software experience
  • Established brand reputation

  • Significantly shorter battery life (15:28h)
  • Older MediaTek Helio G99 chipset
  • Slower 25W charging

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy A15 immediately stands out with its measured peak brightness of 808 nits, a significant advantage over the Redmi 15 (brightness data unavailable). This makes the A15 far more usable in direct sunlight. While the Redmi 15’s panel technology isn’t specified, the A15’s brightness suggests an LCD panel. Both phones likely utilize similar resolutions given their price point, but the A15’s superior brightness is a clear win for outdoor visibility and overall viewing experience. Bezels are expected to be comparable, typical of this price bracket.

Camera Comparison

Camera details are limited, but focusing on the main sensors is crucial. Without specific sensor sizes, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner. However, the omission of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on both devices suggests a reliance on software stabilization. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on the A15 is largely inconsequential; its utility is limited by the low resolution and lack of optical stabilization. Image processing will likely differ, with Samsung typically favoring more saturated colors and Xiaomi aiming for a more natural look. Without sample images, a clear camera winner cannot be determined.

Performance

The Xiaomi Redmi 15 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 (6nm), featuring an octa-core CPU with 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A78 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The Samsung Galaxy A15 utilizes the MediaTek Helio G99 (6nm) with a similar octa-core configuration: 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. While both are 6nm chips, the Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 generally offers a slight performance edge in CPU and GPU benchmarks, translating to smoother multitasking and potentially better gaming performance. The Redmi 15’s newer architecture suggests improved efficiency. RAM configurations are not specified, but LPDDR4X is likely on both devices, limiting memory bandwidth.

Battery Life

The Xiaomi Redmi 15 dominates in battery endurance, achieving an impressive 67:03h in testing, and is rated for 1000 charge cycles. This is a massive leap over the Samsung Galaxy A15’s 15:28h active use score. The Redmi 15 also supports faster 33W wired charging with PD 2.0, PPS, and QC3 standards, alongside 18W reverse wired charging. The Galaxy A15 is limited to 25W wired charging. While the A15’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the significantly lower endurance score indicates a smaller capacity. The Redmi 15’s combination of battery life, charging speed, and reverse wireless charging provides a substantial advantage.

Buying Guide

Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 15 if you need a phone that can reliably last through two full days of moderate use, or if you frequently find yourself away from a charger. Its efficient chipset and massive battery are ideal for travelers, commuters, or anyone who dislikes daily charging. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A15 if you prioritize a vibrant, easily visible display, especially for outdoor use, and prefer the Samsung ecosystem and One UI software experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 in the Redmi 15 handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but likely at medium settings to maintain a stable frame rate. While not a gaming powerhouse, it offers a noticeable improvement over the Helio G99 in sustained performance, reducing the likelihood of significant throttling during extended gaming sessions.
❓ How long will it realistically take to fully charge the Redmi 15 from 0%?
With its 33W charging support, the Redmi 15 should fully charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 60-75 minutes, depending on the charger used and background processes. The support for PD 2.0, PPS, and QC3 ensures compatibility with a wide range of fast chargers.
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy A15’s display color accurate enough for photo editing?
While the A15’s brightness is excellent, color accuracy is likely limited. It’s not ideal for professional photo or video editing, but perfectly adequate for casual viewing and social media browsing. Expect colors to be slightly more saturated than on a professional-grade display.
❓ What is the expected software update support for both the Redmi 15 and Galaxy A15?
Samsung typically provides longer software support for its A-series devices, potentially offering 3-4 years of security updates and 2 major Android version upgrades. Xiaomi’s update policy for the Redmi series is less consistent, generally providing 2 years of security updates and one major Android upgrade.